Cong demands 'white paper' on implementation of central schemes

Lucknow, Oct 26 (UNI) The Uttar Pradesh Congress today demanded a 'white paper' on the implementation of various centrally-sponsored schemes in the state.

Addressing media persons here, UP Congress president Rita Bahuguna Joshi said while the Bahujan Samaj Party government was seeking central aid, the government had failed to utilise the funds alloted to it by the Union government under various heads.

''The state government, in fact, should come out with a white paper on the utilisation of central funds,'' she said.

The newly-elected UPCC chief claimed that money was lying unutilised for various schemes. ''While on one hand, people were dying of starvation, the funds meant for the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme were lying in coffers.'' She alleged that the Mayawati government had been able to utilise only Rs 800 crore out of a total of 3000 crore provided to it by the Centre.

''In the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Rs 3500 crore was provided...but so far, only Rs 700 crore has been spent,'' she said.

The UPCC president claimed that while people were starving to death, the state government was wasting public money on beautifying parks and memorials. ''The Centre has allowed sugar mill owners in the state to add 5 per cent ethnol (a byproduct derived after crushing sugarcane) in petrol. This would give them a profit of Rs 1000 crore...still they are not paying dues of cane farmers and the state government was maintaning silence,'' she said.